Phlomis x cytherea is a little-known Jerusalem sage that we find incredibly garden worthy. First published in 1967 and named for the island of Cytherea (Kithira), which lies halfway between Mainland Greece and Crete, this natural hybrid occurs in Greece and the Greek islands, where Phlomis fruticosa and Phlomis cretica cohabitate. Compared to the much
Cytherea – The Phlomis G-Spot Read More »
Flowering here in early January, is the little-known snowdrop, Galanthus snogerupii. This species hails from as very small region in central Greece. These are sometimes confused with Galanthus woronowii, and listed by some as a subspecies of Galanthus ikariae. Who says that plants can’t cheer you up on even the dreariest of days.
Hard to spell Snowdrop Read More »
Looking lovely in the rock garden this month, despite the heat and drought is our 10 year-old patch of the Greek native, Dittany of Amorgos (Origanum calcaratum). This amazing woody perennial oregano can be found on island like Crete, hanging out in crevices of limestone cliffs. At JLBG, we grow it in our gravel amended
Dittany of Amorgos Read More »
One of the stars of the fall garden at JLBG is the little-known Peshman’s Snowdrop, Galanthus peshmanii. This amazing Greek and Turkish species, named after the late Turkish botanist, Hasan Peşmen (1939-1980), was only officially recognized in 1994. It’s closely related to the better-known Galanthus reginae-olgae. Our nine year-old clump has been an absolutely wonderful
Peshman’s Snowdrop Read More »
In 60 years of gardening, I’ve yet to seen a nursery that offers Acanthus spinosus, who actually has the correct plant. 100% of everything in the commercial trade is actually a hybrid of Acanthus hungaricus and A. spinosus, which looks nothing like the true species. Even authoritative on-line reference sites which should know better, all
Spiny is as Spinosus Does Read More »
